Phthalocyanines for dye-sensitized solar cells

Role of hexyloxy groups in zinc phthalocyanines bearing sulfonic acid anchoring groups for dye-sensitized solar cells

Zinc phthalocyanine dyes bearing four sulfonic acid anchoring groups with (A-ZnPc) and without (H-ZnPc) four chloro and eight hexyloxy groups were used as sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The dyes were investigated in terms of their optical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties. The presence of these groups in dye A-ZnPc resulted in both red-shifted absorption and decreased dye aggregation, which are beneficial for the improvement of device performance. In the presence of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) as a coadsorbent, the DSSC based on H-ZnPc shows a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.96%, which is improved by [Formula: see text]40% as compared to the device without CDCA. However, the PCE of an A-ZnPc-based device with CDCA slightly enhances from 1.15% (without CDCA) to 1.22%, indicating that the bulky hexyloxy groups with large steric hindrance can effectively suppress aggregation of the adsorbed dye. The results showed that the zinc phthalocyanine dye bearing bulky hexyloxy groups is a promising candidate to construct efficient coadsorbent-free DSSCs.

Synthesis, characterization and VOCs adsorption kinetics of diethylstilbestrol-substituted metallophthalocyanines

Compound (4,4[Formula: see text] -hex-3-ene-3,4-diyl)bis(4,1-phenylene)bis(oxy)diphthalonitrile 3 was synthesized by the reaction of 4-nitrophthalonitrile 1 and diethylstilbestrol 2 in dry DMF in presence of dry K2CO3. New mononuclear phthalocyanines 4-6 were obtained from compound 3 by addition of the corresponding metal salts [Co(OAc)2 ⋅ 4H2O, Zn(OAc)2 ⋅ 2H2O and Cu(OAc)2]. The novel compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and FT-IR, UV-vis, 1H-NMR and MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy techniques. The effects of four main groups of organic vapors on these novel compounds were studied and discussed. The adsorption kinetics of alkanes ([Formula: see text]-hexane and [Formula: see text]-octane), alcohols (methanol and 2-proponal), chlorinated hydrocarbons (dichloromethane and trichloromethane) and amines (diethylamine and triethylamine) on 4-6 were examined using three adsorption kinetic models: the Elovich equation, the pseudo-first-order equations and Ritchie’s equation. Results show that the linear regression analysis with respect to the pseudo-second-order rate equations generates a straight line that best fits the data of adsorption of alcohols and chlorinated hydrocarbons on Pc films. On the other hand, the Elovich equation generates a straight line that best fits the data of adsorption of alkanes and amines.

Electron injection into titanium dioxide by panchromatic dirhodium photosensitizers with low energy red light

Two new Rh₂(ii,ii) dyes were synthesized and anchored to TiO₂ for charge injection upon low energy irradiation.

Effect of new asymmetrical Zn(ii) phthalocyanines on the photovoltaic performance of a dye-sensitized solar cell

Theoretical and experimental examinations of novel asymmetric Zn(ii) phthalocyanine derivatives substituted with peripherally one carboxyl and six alkylsulfanyl groups have been successfully investigated from the point of view of DSSC performance.

Dual-purpose zinc and silicon complexes of 1,2,3-triazole group substituted phthalocyanine photosensitizers: synthesis and evaluation of photophysical, singlet oxygen generation, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties

The synthesis, photophysical, singlet oxygen generation, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties of peripheral and axial 1,2,3-triazole group substituted zinc and silicon phthalocyanine complexes with strong absorption in the visible region were described. All novel complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. All the new compounds are highly soluble in most common organic solvents. The electronic absorption and fluorescence spectral properties of complexes 4 and 5 are investigated. The effects of the triazole group, different metal centers and position of the substituent on the photophysical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties of the new phthalocyanines were also investigated for the first time in this work. According to the fluorescence measurements, the axially substituted silicon complex (5) showed higher fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_F = 0.28) than the peripherally substituted zinc complex (4). In addition, quantum yields for singlet oxygen generation (Φ_Δ = 0.32 for silicon complex (4) and Φ_Δ = 0.76 for zinc complex (5) in DMSO) were obtained. Electrochemical studies show that complex 5 is present in non-aggregated form as a result of steric hindrance of the axial groups; the LUMO level of this complex is slightly more negative than the conduction band of TiO₂ and electron injection might be less effective. Therefore, the power conversion efficiency of 1.30% for a complex 4 based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is higher than complex 5 (0.90%). Consequently, these zinc and silicon complexes are promising candidates not only for photodynamic therapy but also solar power conversion.

Evaluation of dual-purpose zinc and silicon phthalocyanine complexes on photophysical, singlet oxygen generation, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties.